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I AM GENTRIFICATON. CONFESSIONS OF A SCOUNDREL by Thomas Haemmerli

Swiss Showcase at the International Film Festival São Paulo

Switzerland is the guest of honour at the 41st International Film Festival São Paulo (Mostra Internacional de Cinema), one of the most important film festivals in Latin America. The focus lies on Swiss films currently attracting international attention. Another spotlight is on films by the Swiss “maître du cinéma” Alain Tanner as well as on Swiss animation by Georges Schwizgebel. A delegation of up-and-coming Swiss filmmakers will travel to São Paulo personally to present their films. The Swiss Showcase is an initiative by SWISS FILMS in cooperation with the Mostra and supported by the Swiss diplomatic and consular missions in Brazil.

The Swiss programme at the 41st International Film Festival São Paulo (October 19-November 1), includes more than 40 films, of which fourteen are first features. Sixteen films are running in the New Directors Competition, which is dedicated exclusively to first and second features. Out of the approximately 100 films in the competition, the audience will choose its favourites, which will be judged by an international jury.

This year, SWISS FILMS already initiated an Alain Tanner retrospective in New York at the Metrograph cinema, which garnered much media attention. Further programmes with the master director are planned in Portugal and Spain.

In cooperation with the festival and with the support of the Swiss diplomatic and consular missions in Brazil, SWISS FILMS is offering Swiss and Brazilian filmmakers the opportunity for exchange at various networking and industry events. The Swiss Showcase is supported by Lindt & Sprüngli Brazil as well as the online portals LatAm cinema and Filme B.

Strengthening Swiss Cinema in Latin America After the prominent guest appearance at the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG) 2016, the cooperation with the festival in São Paulo marks a further showcase for Swiss films in the Latin American region. Mexico and Brazil are among the most important export markets for European cinema. In August 2017, Switzerland and Mexico were able to sign a coproduction agreement, that now needs to be ratified.

In addition, SWISS FILMS aims to strengthen the visibility and distribution of Swiss films in Latin America. In cooperation with the Federal Office of Culture support measures such as the “non-European distribution support programme” and the “VOD support programme” for international VOD providers have been implemented.

The showcase at the Mostra is followed by a Swiss Short Film Focus at Curta Cinema Rio de Janeiro (November 1-8). Subsequent programmes are also planned for Anima Mundi (Rio de Janeiro / São Paulo) and the São Paulo International Short Film Festival 2018.